CCM book author and collector enjoyed ‘the ride’
Collector and author John McKenty to do a talk at 7pm this Friday, December 6th, during a preview reception
Canadian historian and author, John McKenty.
When John McKenty came across an old CCM catalogue while researching the history of a local hardware store, he was mesmerized by the pictures of the bikes and wagons he recognized from his childhood. “I was hooked, right then and there,” he recalls.
The retired teacher and secondary school principal, who lives in Perth, Ontario (between Ottawa and Kingston) decided to see what he could find on the company. He quickly discovered no written history of the iconic Canadian company existed, even though CCM was a name most people of a certain vintage would instantly recognize.
And so, in 2006 McKenty began the work that would culminate in the publication of his 2011 book, Canada Cycle & Motor: The CCM Story. It also signalled the birth of his own vast and important CCM collection – a collection which is now slated to be sold by Miller & Miller Auctions on December 7, 2019.
McKenty began his research by interviewing former CCM employees, children and relatives of former employees and anyone who knew anything about the company. He scanned old newspapers and catalogues, everything he could get his hands on. It was all original, self-driven research, since, much to his disbelief, there were no company archives anywhere.
“Whenever I saw a catalogue that was pre-1983, I’d buy it. Then I began to buy posters, bikes, skates and wagons – anything CCM,” he says. He was essentially collecting and researching at the same time, which paid off in more ways than one. Sometimes people would say things like, “You should talk to my Dad. He worked there for 30 years. And he kept a box of stuff, if you’re interested.”
McKenty’s own collection is entirely pre-1983, since that’s the year the company officially declared bankruptcy. Without a doubt, the five-year process of researching and writing the book has made him the foremost authority on the CCM company. Even Maclean’s, Canada’s national news magazine, reviewed the book.
Two people McKenty interviewed still stand out in his mind. One is Gordon ‘Gus’ Chard, who was head of research and development for CCM for 40 years. Chard also met his wife at the company and much of their social life revolved around CCM activities like Christmas parties and summer picnics. The other is Tom Nease, who started working for CCM in 1948, eventually becoming its president and later the CEO of Adidas Canada.
But the living history of the company is slowly fading away. “Those who worked at CCM pre-1983 are few and far between now,” laments McKenty. “It’s mostly just their sons and daughters left.”
So why sell now? McKenty kept his collection in a large shed on his rural property where it could all be displayed, but he recently began to worry about the long-term effects on its condition. He bought a few CCM items from Justin and Ethan Miller years ago, before they were in the auction business, and ever since, he says, “I’ve never thought of anyone but them to sell my collection when the time came.”
That collection consists of bicycles, a dozen wagons, baseball gloves, bats, dozens of skates and close to 100 catalogues, some dating back to 1905 – in all over 125 lots.
Some of the highlights include a painted tin sign advertising automobile skates. CCM made cars from 1905 to 1915 and in order to keep the workers busy during the slower winter months they’d make skate blades from the same stainless steel used to make the cars. The blades were CCM-made, while the leather boots they attached to were made by shoemakers.
Lot 248: Automobile Skates Sign. With the decline in bicycle demand at the turn of the century, Tommy Russell, the newly appointed president of Canada Cycle and Motor Co (CCM) diversified in to the automobile business launching the Russell Motor Car Co. In the winter (when bicycle sales were slow) they used scrap steel from automobile production to make skate blades, aptly called, "Automobile Skates". Estimate $2000/2500.
Another highlight is a 1938 Flyte bike – the rarest CCM bicycle. There’s also a #1 wagon, the smallest and rarest of the three sizes. (The #3 was the biggest and could hold three children, #2 was the middle-sized and held two children.)
Lot 147: 1937 CCM Flyte. The rarest CCM bicycle produced. Despite being hailed as stylish and functional, the Flyte never became a big seller and its production ceased in 1940. Whether it was too expensive or the forks were too weak, in the end the Flyte's limited production has ensured its rarity and desirability among collectors. Unusual fork and frame design. Estimate $1500/2000.
Lot 137: Set of 3 CCM Wagons, Circa 1932. Each scripted on the side rail “1” “2” and “3” to denote the child capacity of the wagon. Estimate $600/900.
And there’s a blue wool sweater that says ‘CCM skates’ on the front and back. (McKenty figures it was a company sweater and he’s never seen another one).
The collection also includes “incredible catalogues,” which he says “offer a remarkable snapshot of history and the early designs of bicycles.” These, he points out, are also extremely useful to people who restore old bikes since the catalogues provide “a wealth of information” on such things as original colours and design.
Lot 321: CCM Skates Sweater. The use or application of this Circa 1930s wool sweater remains a mystery to collectors. Estimate $200/300.
Lot 423: 1910s and ‘20s Bicycle Catalogues. One lot among many offered as part of Miller & Miller’s December 7th Canadiana & Historic Objects featuring the John McKenty CCM Collection on December 7th.
“For me, it’s been a great ride,” says McKenty. “I’ve met so many people researching the book and later doing presentations. It’s all been wonderful.”
Story By Diane Sewell
Auction Details: Advertising & Historic Objects - December 7th, 2019. 9 am.
Live Auction Location: 59 Webster St. New Hamburg, Ontario. N3A 1W8
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